In this episode we speak to Oddbjørn Dybvad, co-founder of REQ Capital, an Oslo-based investment firm. Oddbjørn manages REQ’s Global Compounders and Nordic Compounders funds, which focus on acquisition-driven businesses. We discuss the entrepreneurial energy within these companies, why they are able to reinvest capital at attractive rates for a long period of time and how their diversified and decentralised nature makes them both resilient and adaptable.

Show notes:

[01:22] Oddbjørn discusses his career
[02:26] The risk and return characteristics of acquisition-driven compounders
[04:25] The influence of geography
[07:01] Defining the different types of serial acquirer
[09:12] Focusing on small/mid-caps with a long runway for redeploying capital
[10:41] The diversification benefits of acquisition-driven companies
[12:11] A preference for insider ownership, decentralisation and acquisitions funded by cash
[13:29] Communicating with investors in a different way
[14:53] Key person risk and the sustainability of culture
[16:28] Change at Diploma
[18:07] Harnessing entrepreneurial energy through decentralisation
[20:43] Decentralisation and adaptability
[21:59] Motivating behaviour through simple incentivisation structures
[24:52] Focusing on track record and management
[25:56] Constellation Software and the decentralisation of capital allocation
[28:07] The valuation differential between public and private markets
[30:51] The attractions of selling to acquisition-driven compounders
[33:06] Looking for the dual engine of organic and inorganic growth
[35:04] The underlying characteristics of REQ Global Compounders
[37:13] Becoming more conscious about evaluating risk and management
[39:07] Finding people who are process-oriented and have a long-term mind-set
[39:55] Learn from your mistakes